Digging Deeper: A Lenten Study of the Gospel of Luke
I am frequently asked: “What is Lent?” The season begins on Ash Wednesday and covers a period of approximately six weeks before Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is preparation through prayer, penance, repentance of sins, giving, atonement and self-denial. During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain luxuries as a form of penitence. We may also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional, to draw ourselves nearer to God.”
Jesus set a high standard for Lent: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.” (Luke 4:1-2) Those forty days in the wilderness prepared Jesus for the critical days of ministry ahead.
Today, Lent represents an opportunity to pause for a few minutes from the intensity of daily living and reflect on the meaning of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Pausing in the midst of a hectic lifestyle is never easy. The following prayer by Robin Van Cleef describes some of the difficulties.
Lord, I sense my need of you; yet -- I am not quite sure how to reach you.
I heard someone say, 'Read your Bible.'
But too often the words are like bullets that ricochet off my brain.
I heard someone say, 'Pray.'
But my prayers, hurled heaven ward, fall back to earth like lifeless stones.
I heard someone say, 'Meditate.'
But my wandering mind was lost in a desert of random thoughts.
Alas, I share that struggle. I regularly devour the newspaper but struggle to read God's Holy Word. I pray and sometimes wonder if anyone is listening? Slowing down to meditate seems unnatural amidst the busyness of a typical day. The temptation is to avoid pausing even for a few moments and move on.
Jesus himself was tempted to skip fasting and prayer. “The devil said, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But Jesus told him, “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” (Luke 4:8) Our willingness to pause from our hectic lifestyle to read Scripture, to pray and to meditate is part of our worship with God. Our willingness and desire to worship God can literally change our life.
The prayer of Robin Van Cleef continues.
Lord, speak to me through your Word. Let it penetrate my mind and my heart.
Lord, speak to me through Prayer, and turn the lifeless stones to bread.
Lord, speak to me in my Meditation, that I may see, amid life's wilderness:
The way, the truth and the life.
Spiritual growth seldom happens naturally but requires a conscious investment of time and energy. Digging Deeper through Jesus is a reminder of why our investment is important. We pause to more fully appreciate the gift God provided for us through Jesus and His resurrection. There are many ways to pause in worship for our spiritual growth. You could join a Bible study, set aside time to read devotions, meditate on their significance and pray. The Bible offers guidance:
· Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along His path. He will honor you. (Ps38:34)
· Think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings. (1 Peter 2:13)
· One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak, He chose twelve disciples. (Luke 6:12)
· Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent. (Ephesians 6:18)
God teaches: "Don't be impatient. Travel steadily. Think clearly and exercise self-control. Pray first. Pray at all times. Stay alert and be persistent."
God promises: "I will honor you. Look forward to special blessings. I will help you make choices. I will provide power through the Holy Spirit."
Lord, speak to me through your Word. Let it penetrate my mind and my heart.
Lord, speak to me through Prayer, and turn the lifeless stones to bread.
Lord, speak to me in my Meditation, that I may see, amid life's wilderness:
The way, the truth and the life.